Senior Fitness for Women: Getting Started
Why Should I Exercise at My Age?
Many women over 55 feel that it’s too late to exercise. They don’t believe they can do it once they’ve hit their senior years. This common belief is totally wrong. Women’s fitness has no age limits. Most women can participate in exercise for most of their lives. Even if you’ve never exercised before, you can start now and see great results in your health and appearance. Senior women who exercise have a higher metabolism and that means less weight problems. They are less likely to break bones during falls, and enjoy greater range of motion. They even have better cholesterol levels. Senior women who get fit have greater independence during the senior years. Senior Fitness programs for women
Starting Slow
Senior women who are new to exercise should start slow and easy. There’s no reason to push it. Just start at your own level, no matter how basic that might be. Even if you need to begin with 5 minutes of walking, start there. If you push it too much, you could risk an injury. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin any women’s fitness program for seniors.
Great Forms of Exercise for a Senior Woman
Water Exercise: Working out in the water is easy on the joints, which makes it a great form of exercise for any senior fitness program geared toward women. Exercising in the water, whether it’s an aqua aerobic class or swimming builds muscle and endurance. The Arthritis Foundation hosts many aquatic classes for seniors nationwide.
Strength Training: You don’t have to lift heavy weights to gain strength. Exercise bands provide plenty of resistance for an effective strength training workout. You can also do a variety of calisthenics to build muscle. Building muscle is important for senior women since we all lose muscle tissue as we age. Counteract muscle loss with strength training, which will also improve your strength for all daily activities.
Walking: Walking is a great form of exercise for senior women. A good pair of walking shoes is really all you need to get started. Walk on the local high school track or even in a local mall. If you love the outdoors, choose a good flat area for walking, especially in the beginning. You might like to try skiwalking, using nordic walking poles. Walking poles take a lot of the weight off your knees, so if you have problems with your joints, skiwalking just might be the answer.
Pilates: Pilates is a perfect exercise for the senior woman. You’ll focus on strengthening your core muscles. Pilates improves balance and posture, flattens the tummy, and improves flexibility. You’ll change the way your body performs for you, and look awesome too. Pilates can be done in a class environment or right in your own living room.
Resources
Medicine Net: https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5153
Senior Journal: https://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/2008/8-01-03-OlderWomen.htm